SMOKE AND TOXICITY HAZARDS OF PLASTICS IN FIRES

Plastics are now used widely in a variety of applications both within the general structure of buildings and in furnishings and fittings and there is concern that the widespread use of these materials may increase the fire hazard because of the possible production of large amounts of smoke and toxic gases. Smoke and toxic gases are generated in a number of different ways in fires, involving particularly the thermal and thermal oxidative decomposition of the polymeric material and the gas phasepyrolysis or combustion of volatiles. In some instances these routes can also lead to destruction of smoke and gases. The problems of smoke and toxicity hazards are being studied at the Fire Research Station, Borehamwood, using laboratory decomposition techniques with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and fire tests in a full scale compartment-corridor facility. Animal experiments carried out under contract provide the link between the analytical results and the physiological response of fire gases.

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  • Corporate Authors:

    Elsevier

    Radarweg 29
    Amsterdam,   Netherlands  1043 NX
  • Authors:
    • Woolley, W D
    • Raftery, M M
  • Publication Date: 1976-11

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00150401
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: British Railways
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: May 11 1977 12:00AM